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Box 28 was dispatched at 22:15 tonight for a report of a structure fire at South 8th and Muhlenberg Streets. Engines 13, 5, 1, 3 safety, Tower 1, Ladder 1, Rescue 1, Medic 604 and Car 9 were assigned to the call. Cars 1 and 22 responded on the report of a working fire. Engine 5 arrived on location and assumed first due, they reported heavy fire coming from a third floor dormer on the Muhlenberg Street side. Car 9 arrived and ordered Tower 1 to set up to operate on Muhlenberg Street and prepare to hit the roof. By this time heavy smoke was pushing from several windows and residents were coming out of the building. There was a report that one victim was still in the building in the area of the fire.
A crew advanced a line up the interior stairs and crawled down the dark maze of the hallway to the fire room. They encountered heavy fire in the hall and beat the fire back into the room. Other firefighters began searching the third floor for victims and ventilating the smoke. A report from command that the all residents were accounted for came across the radio.
One tenant did report that his dogs were still in his room and firefighters made their way to the room and found two small dogs inside. They appeared to be unharmed.
Meanwhile, the attack crew had made good progress on the fire and crews began opening up the walls and ceiling to look for extension. Two rooms were heavily damaged by fire as well as the hallway leading to the end flats. The rest of the third floor was extensively damaged by smoke and heat.
As the fire was being extinguished, a fight broke out among the bystanders and residents of the building. The residents each blamed the others for the fire which had displaced the entire group. The building was being used as a rooming house although reportedly not legally. Several code violations had been reported at the structure and it had limited electric service. Police were already on the scene and others came to deal with the altercation. No arrests were made and the crowd was calmed. One resident later tried to sneak back into the building and was removed by police
The Red cross was called to assist about 20 residents. After the fire, the building was secured and the electric service was cut. Car 23 responded to the incident as began an investigation into the cause. One firefighter was transported to Reading Hospital. He was injured while helping to advance the attack line. One of the residents fleeing the building ran into the firefighter and both went down the stairs. The firefighter's condition was unknown.
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